Estate Planning Posts
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Recent Posts
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> SECURE Act Changes: Estate & Retirement Planning Impact
The SECURE Act went into effect at the beginning of this year and has significantly impacted both retirement planning and estate planning. We urge all of our clients with a trust as part of their estate plan to check in with us to ensure that their trust document does not need to be updated after […]
Ben Zinkel
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> SECURE 2.0 Retirement Plan Changes: Key Updates & Benefits
On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022 into law. The Act, commonly referred to as SECURE 2.0, makes changes to tax and other laws related to retirement accounts. SECURE 2.0 follows an overhaul of retirement account laws made by its predecessor act, the Setting Every Community Up […]
Ben Zinkel
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> How to Access a Deceased Loved One’s Mobile Phone Data
The grieving process after a loved one passes is a difficult time for everyone. Being unable to access photographs, videos, and other sentimental items after the death of a loved one can make closure and the grieving process more difficult. At Cordell & Cordell, we strive to make the period after a loved one passes […]
Ben Zinkel
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> Estate Planning for Pets: Pet Trusts & Care After Death
You may be a fan of Netflix’s Gunther’s Millions, which features the world’s wealthiest dog, a German Shepherd named Gunther. Gunther purportedly inherited his master’s fortune – approximately $350 million US dollars. Unlike in Germany (where Gunther lives), in the United States, pets are considered personal property themselves and cannot inherit assets as if they […]
Ben Zinkel
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> Managing Social Media Accounts After Death: Estate Planning Tips
The grieving process after a loved one passes is a difficult time for everyone. Accessing a loved one’s social media account after they have passed away can be difficult, and seeing a deceased loved one’s social media account in your feed can needlessly prolong the grieving process. At Cordell & Cordell, we can help you […]
Ben Zinkel
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> Power of Attorney for Graduates: Essential Legal Steps
If your child recently graduated from high school, then you have likely been helping them prepare for whatever their next step in life is. That might mean buying dorm room essentials, reviewing class schedules, filing paperwork for student loans and financial aid, or prepping them for job interviews. There are a couple of items that […]
Ben Zinkel
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> Green Burial Guide: Eco-Friendly Funeral & Burial Options
An important aspect of estate planning is planning your funeral or celebration of life service after you have passed. Having a pre-determined funeral plan can ease the financial and emotional burden on your loved ones after you are gone. While traditional funerals are still popular, natural burials (aka ‘green’ burials) have risen in popularity over […]
Ben Zinkel
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> How to Avoid Probate: Estate Planning Tips and Strategies
Probate is a word many people have heard of, and of those who have heard it many know they should want to avoid it. But why should you want to avoid probate? And what exactly is probate? Is there a minimum amount of assets that necessitate probate? What about if you have a will, is […]
Ben Zinkel
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> What Happens if One Primary Beneficiary Dies?
A thorough estate plan is critical to protecting loved ones and providing peace of mind. When a person creates an estate plan, they are assuming their beneficiaries will outlive them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. From this issue arise many questions. The most common question being is, “Who inherits if the beneficiary has […]
Ben Zinkel
